Welcome back to Christ Over Coffee! I’m Pastor Chris Byers from St. John's Lutheran Church in beautiful Gillette, Wisconsin. As we wrap up this year's series, I want to take a moment to reflect on our journey through the scriptures and invite you to join us again after the New Year.

Upcoming Break and New Year’s Resumption

Before we dive into our study, I want to remind everyone that this will be our last session for the year. We’ll take a break through the Christmas and New Year holidays and will resume our gatherings on Monday after the New Year at 6:00 PM.

What to Expect in Our Next Sessions

• Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM)
• Focus: Continuing our exploration of the Bible, particularly the history and lessons from the Kings of Judah.

Reflecting on Recent Lessons

In our last class, we covered 2 Chronicles 14-16, focusing on King Asa. It was a fruitful discussion, and I was encouraged to hear how our insights helped a classmate navigate a personal situation. This reaffirms the relevance of God's Word in our lives today.

Key Themes from Our Study

• The Importance of Seeking God: Asa’s reign began with a commitment to God, leading to peace in the kingdom.
• God’s Faithfulness: Asa called upon God during battles, demonstrating reliance on divine strength over military might.

Asa: A King Who Started Strong

As we explored Asa's story, we noted several key actions:

• Removal of Idols: Asa removed foreign altars and high places, urging Judah to seek Yahweh.
• Military Success: Despite facing overwhelming odds against Zerah the Ethiopian, Asa’s faith led to victory.
• Covenant Renewal: Asa gathered the people to renew their commitment to God, sacrificing large offerings as a sign of devotion.

Asa's Downfall

However, as we moved into the later chapters, we saw a shift in Asa’s reliance on God.

• Alliance with Ben-Hadad: Asa sought help from the king of Aram instead of trusting in God, which led to a prophetic warning from Hanani the seer.
• Consequences of Distrust: Asa's choice resulted in ongoing wars and ultimately, he faced a severe illness without seeking God for healing.

The Tragic End of Asa's Reign

As we continue our study, we reflect on the tragic end of Asa’s reign. Despite his earlier faithfulness, Asa died in the forty-first year of his reign, and his final days were marked by a significant spiritual decline.

Key Takeaways from Asa's Final Days:

• Failure to Repent: Asa did not turn back to God or seek forgiveness for his actions, which is a poignant reminder of the importance of repentance in our lives.
• Anger Towards God's Messenger: Asa imprisoned the seer for delivering an unwelcome message from God, showcasing a sad testament of his waning faith.
• A Lesson in Finishing Well: Asa's story illustrates the need to finish our spiritual journeys strong, remaining faithful until the end.

Introducing Jehoshaphat: A New King with New Hope

As we transition into the next chapter, we meet Jehoshaphat, Asa's son, who becomes king after Asa's death. Jehoshaphat's reign begins on a positive note:

• Strengthening the Kingdom: Jehoshaphat fortified cities and established military forces throughout Judah.
• Faithfulness to God: Unlike his father in his later years, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord and followed the commandments, leading to blessings for his kingdom.
• Teaching the Law: He sent officials and Levites throughout Judah to teach the people the Book of the Law, fostering a culture of faith and obedience.

The Importance of Seeking God

Jehoshaphat's reign emphasizes the importance of seeking God in all decisions. When faced with potential conflict, he sought God's guidance rather than relying on human alliances. This is a crucial lesson for us today:

• Trust in God's Plan: Instead of making decisions based on expediency, we should always seek God's will.
• Listening to God's Word: We must prioritize the teachings of scripture and the guidance of faithful leaders.

Jehoshaphat's Bold Prayer and God's Response

In the face of a formidable enemy, Jehoshaphat exemplified a king who turned to God in desperation. When news of a great multitude coming against Judah reached him, he did not react with fear. Instead, he called for a fast and gathered the people to seek help from Yahweh.

Key Moments from Jehoshaphat's Prayer:

• Humility Before God: Jehoshaphat acknowledged God's sovereignty and reminded Him of His promises to Israel.
• Collective Seeking: All of Judah, including children and families, stood together in prayer, demonstrating unity in faith.
• God's Assurance: The Spirit of Yahweh responded through a prophet, declaring, "Do not fear or be dismayed, for the battle is not yours but God's."

The Power of Praise

As they prepared for battle, Jehoshaphat instructed the people to sing praises to God. This act of faith resulted in God defeating their enemies without them having to fight:

• Songs of Thanksgiving: The army marched out singing, "Give thanks to Yahweh, for His loving kindness endures forever."
• Divine Victory: God set ambushes against their enemies, leading to a stunning defeat of the sons of Ammon and Moab.

Final Reflections on Jehoshaphat's Reign

The story of Jehoshaphat serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking God’s guidance in our lives. His reign illustrates that:

• God Fights Our Battles: When we turn to God in prayer, He promises to be our defender.
• The Role of Worship: Praise can transform our perspective and strengthen our faith in God’s promises.
• Community in Faith: Coming together as a community to seek God can lead to collective strength and victory.

As we wrap up this segment of our study, let us remember the importance of finishing well in our spiritual journeys. Both Asa and Jehoshaphat teach us valuable lessons about faithfulness, repentance, and seeking God's guidance in all things.

Thank you for being a part of Christ Over Coffee this year. I look forward to seeing you again in the New Year!